Vehicle parking assist system

ABSTRACT

A method for assisting in parking a vehicle, comprises the steps of: initiating a parking sequence having a reference velocity; altering a velocity of the vehicle to about the reference velocity by generating a brake torque during a first mode of operation of a controller; outputting the brake torque to a disturbance estimator; storing the brake torque within the disturbance estimator; and utilizing the brake torque from the disturbance estimator in a second mode of operation of the controller to stop the vehicle at a target location.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/814,855, filed Jul. 31, 2015, and entitled VEHICLE PARKING ASSIST SYSTEM, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to systems for controllably assisting with the parking of a vehicle. In particular, various systems are disclosed which minimize or eliminate overshoot of the vehicle to a target location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automatic parking an automotive vehicle in a target parking location may be challenging due to unexpected disturbances present which can hinder the longitudinal control of the vehicle. These disturbances may be exacerbated while towing a trailer. The unexpected disturbances along the parking path of the vehicle may lead to undershoot or overshoot of the desired final location of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for assisting in parking a vehicle, comprises the steps of: initiating a parking sequence having a reference velocity; altering a velocity of the vehicle to about the reference velocity by generating a brake torque during a first mode of operation of a controller; outputting the brake torque to a disturbance estimator; storing the brake torque within the disturbance estimator; and utilizing the brake torque from the disturbance estimator in a second mode of operation of the controller to stop the vehicle at a target location.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for assisting in parking a vehicle, comprises the steps of: initiating a parking sequence having a reference velocity; altering a velocity of the vehicle to about the reference velocity by generating a brake torque during a first mode of operation of a controller; outputting the brake torque to a disturbance estimator; and utilizing the brake torque in a second mode of operation of the controller to stop the vehicle at a target location.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for assisting in parking a vehicle, comprises the steps of: initiating a parking sequence having a reference velocity; altering a velocity of the vehicle to about the reference velocity by generating a brake torque during a first mode of operation of a controller; and utilizing the brake torque in a second mode of operation of the controller to stop the vehicle at a target location.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a vehicle at one location in a parking maneuver according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a vehicle at another location in a parking maneuver according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a parking assist system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a schematic state diagram of the operation of a module according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 4B is a pictorial representation of the operation of the control module of FIG. 4A, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-4B, reference numeral 10 generally designates an automotive wheeled vehicle that includes a parking assist system 14 for assisting in parking the vehicle 10 at a target location 18. The parking assist system 14 includes a brake system 22 having at least one wheel count encoder 26, a parking controller 30, a vehicle controller area network (CAN) 34, a scheduler 38, and a control module 42. The vehicle CAN 34 may also be known as a vehicle communication bus. Positioned at a rear of the vehicle 10 is a pair of ultrasonic sensors 46 capable of emitting sound waves in the ultrasonic and near-ultrasonic frequency, which may be used for sensing objects in front of and behind the vehicle 10. The brake system 22 may be an anti-lock brake system having one or more anti-lock brake modules positioned proximate the wheels 54 of the vehicle 10. The wheel count encoder 26 may be used to count the number of revolutions a particular wheel 54 undergoes and outputs a signal to the vehicle CAN 34. The parking controller 30 may be used to assist in the automatic parking of the vehicle 10 at the target location 18, as described in greater detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle 10 is shown in an exemplary parking scenario in which a driver of the vehicle 10 is attempting to park the vehicle 10 at the target location 18 positioned on a hill 62 while backing up the vehicle 10. Parking of the vehicle 10 may be carried out using the parking assist system 14, which is generally configured to assist a driver of the vehicle 10 in various ways in parking the vehicle 10. It will be understood that although depicted in a backward parking maneuver, the parking assist system 14 may also be used in forward parking scenarios of the vehicle 10. Additionally, in various embodiments, automatic parking of the vehicle 10 with the parking assist system 14 may be carried out while the vehicle 10 is towing or pushing an object (e.g., a trailer, camper, etc.) without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In one example, the parking assist system 14 can include both actions carried out by the driver of the vehicle 10 as well as by the system 14. In particular, the driver may initiate the parking assist system 14 after driving the vehicle 10 along a path to a desired location at which the parking maneuver is to begin. Once the parking system 14 is activated, the driver may select the target location 18 for where the vehicle 10 will be parked, for example, via a screen, display, or control surface (e.g., buttons or knobs) to indicate to the parking assist system 14 where the driver wishes the vehicle 10 to be parked. The parking assist system 14 may cause the vehicle 10 to steer automatically, such as by control of an electronic power assisted steering (“EPAS”) system, to implement turning maneuvers determined to be appropriate for parking the vehicle 10 and/or trailer.

In conventional systems, longitudinal motion of the vehicle 10 may be the responsibility of the driver, but this can be a taxing experience and the driver may attempt to accelerate the vehicle 10 faster than allowably safe speeds. Additionally, the driver may encounter situations where atypical forces are acting on the vehicle 10 during parking. For example, situations such as that depicted in FIG. 2, where the target location 18 for parking is positioned on a hill 62, may be particularly difficult for the driver due to the requirement that additional throttle or brake must be applied relative to level ground parking maneuvers. Accordingly, systems such as the parking assist system 14 can include the scheduler 38 and the control module 42 to control the longitudinal motion of the vehicle 10 by automatically applying the brakes via an input to the brake system 22.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the parking controller 30, vehicle CAN 34, scheduler 38 and the control module 42 may all include control circuitry such as a microprocessor and a memory unit, according to one embodiment. The memory of the parking controller 30, the vehicle CAN 34, the scheduler 38 and the module 42 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The memory may contain a routine specific to the component to which it is attached, which may also be integrated in various memory units in various locations and components of the vehicle 10. The microprocessor of the parking controller 30, vehicle CAN 34, scheduler 38 and the module 42 operate their respective routines stored in respective memory in order to operate.

Referring now to FIG. 3, some of the components of the parking system 14 are shown schematically. Specifically, the embodiment shown depicts the parking controller 30 and the vehicle CAN 34 providing a plurality of data inputs to the scheduler 38, which then provides data inputs to the control module 42. The parking controller 30 and the vehicle CAN 34 are shown in electrical connection with the scheduler 38, which in turn is in electrical communication with the module 42. The parking controller 30 is designed to input parking specific data to the scheduler 38, while the vehicle CAN 34 is configured to input data about the state of the vehicle 10 to the scheduler 38. The vehicle CAN 34 serves as a data communication bus for transmitting and sharing data. The parking controller 30 serves as the interface to raw sensor data and creates a localized coordinate system for parking maneuvers. The parking controller 30 is configured to provide a zone data signal Z(t), a distance to the target location signal D_(T)(t), and a reference velocity V_(ref) at which the vehicle should be moving during the parking maneuver. The zone data signal Z(t) provides data from the ultrasonic sensors 46 to alert the system 14 of obstacles between the vehicle 10 and the target location 18. The target location distance signal D_(T)(t) gives the distance between the vehicle 10 and the target location 18 at the starting point of the parking maneuver. The reference velocity V_(ref) may be the maximum velocity the vehicle 10 should be moving based on the commands from the parking controller 30. The vehicle CAN 34 may input a vehicle velocity signal v(t), a wheel count data signal W_(c)(t), and a gear signal g(t) to the scheduler 38 indicating which gear the vehicle 10 is in. The wheel count data signal Wc(t) may be determined from the wheel count encoder 26.

During operation, the scheduler 38 functions both as an estimator of the state of the vehicle 10 (e.g., moving forward or reverse) and a controls scheduler. While estimating the state of the vehicle 10, the scheduler 38 may perform four main tasks: wheel count to distance estimation, determination of a powertrain reference velocity, ultrasonic target detection, and determination of a distance error signal e_(d)(t) and velocity error signal e_(v)(t) estimation. During wheel count to distance estimation, the scheduler 38 tracks the distance traveled d_(t)(t) by the vehicle 10 by combining the total angular displacement of the tire 30, as computed with the wheel count data Wc(t), with the radius of the tire 30. During determination of the powertrain reference velocity, the scheduler 38 determines whether or not the powertrain is producing an increased or decreased engine idle speed from that typically experienced. The powertrain reference velocity is set off from the reference velocity V_(ref)(t) in order to keep the brake system 22 from competing (e.g., opposing) with the powertrain.

Both the distance error signal e_(d)(t) and the velocity error signal e_(v)(t) may be computed differently depending on the operation of the control module 42, or the detection of an object or obstacle between the vehicle 10 and the target location 18. The distance error signal e_(d)(t) and the velocity error signal e_(v)(t) may be signals capable of use in feedback style controllers. During the generation of the distance error signal e_(d)(t), the scheduler 38 uses both the distance traveled d_(t)(t) by the vehicle 10 and the target distance D_(T)(t) to produce the distance error signal e_(d)(t) by subtracting the distance traveled d_(t)(t) from the target distance D_(T)(t). Additionally or alternatively, the scheduler 38 may compute the distance error signal e_(d)(t) solely from the zone data signal Z(t) if an object or obstacle is detected by the ultrasonic sensors 46 between the vehicle 10 and the target location 18. In such a situation, the distance error signal e_(d)(t) is set equal to a distance between the vehicle 10 and the obstacle (e.g., the zone data signal Z(t)). By using the smaller distance error signal e_(d)(t) produced by the aforementioned methods, the vehicle 10 can be ensured to not make unintended contact with the obstacle or overshoot the target location 18.

The scheduler 38 also converts the reference velocity V_(ref)(t) and the vehicle velocity v(t) into a velocity error signal e_(v)(t). The velocity error e_(v)(t) may be calculated by subtracting the vehicle velocity v(t) from the reference velocity V_(ref) or it may be calculated by subtracting the vehicle velocity v(t) from 0. The distance error signal e_(d)(t) and the velocity error signal e_(v)(t) are then input into the module 42. When the scheduler 38 is functioning as a controls scheduler, the scheduler 38 outputs a mode switch signal q(t) to the control module 42 in order to control which mode the control module 42 is in.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-4B, the control module 42 may be operated in a plurality of modes which function on the distance and velocity error signals e_(d)(t), e_(v)(t) and may be switched via mode switch signal q(t) issued from the scheduler 38. The control module 42 is capable of operating at least in a speed limiting mode 70, a distance tracking mode 74 and a stand still mode 78. Additionally, the control module 42 includes a disturbance estimator 82 used to compensate for disturbances experienced by the vehicle 10 during parking maneuvers. The control module 42, regardless of the mode it is in, is configured to output a deceleration request T_(b)(t) configured to slow the movement of the vehicle 10. The deceleration request T_(b)(t) may control the brake system 22 and/or the output of the powertrain (e.g., engine breaking) of the vehicle 10 to brake the vehicle 10 and then affect a slowing of the vehicle 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the control module 42 begins parking maneuvers in the speed limiting mode 70. In the speed limiting mode 70, the control module 42 operates in a proportional-integral control or manner and monitors the velocity error signal e_(v)(t) output by the scheduler 38. The control module 42, in the speed limiting mode 70, initially works with the powertrain of the vehicle 10 to control the idle speed of the engine or motor of the vehicle 10 to reduce the vehicle velocity v(t) and thereby minimize the velocity error signal e_(v)(t). If management of the output of the powertrain is not sufficient to lower the vehicle velocity v(t) (i.e., lower the velocity error signal e_(v)(t) sent to the control module 42) to the reference velocity V_(ref) within a predetermined time frame, the module 42 may actuate the brake system 22 to slow the vehicle 10. The brake system 22 in turn applies the brakes, which reduces the vehicle velocity v(t), thereby decreasing the velocity error signal e_(v)(t). For the purposes of speed limiting mode 70 within a system such as the parking assist system 14, the desired response is a system that quickly limits the vehicle velocity v(t) to the reference velocity V_(ref) with very little velocity overshoot. It is noted that minimizing velocity overshoot overall, as opposed to simply reducing velocity overshoot quickly, is desired, as the vehicle velocity v(t) is desirably maintained below the EPAS cutout speed, for example, at all times, but flexibility through increased speed availability may also be desired.

Working closely with the speed limiting mode 70 and the distance tracking mode 74 is the disturbance estimator 82. The disturbance estimator 82 utilizes an output from the speed limiting mode 70 of the module 42 to estimate a brake torque request Δ required to keep the vehicle velocity v(t) at a steady state. Once the speed limiting mode 70 brings the difference between the vehicle velocity v(t) and the reference velocity V_(ref) to a sufficiently small magnitude for a configurable amount of time, the brake torque request Δ of the speed limiting mode 70 is saved within the disturbance estimator 82. In other words, the required amount of brake force required to keep the vehicle 10 from accelerating during a parking maneuver due to a disturbance is saved by the disturbance estimator 82 for later use with the distance tracking mode 74. Exemplary disturbances to the parking of the vehicle 10 may include the target location 18 being located on the hill 62 and/or a higher than typical engine idle speed of the powertrain of the vehicle 10. If the brake torque request Δ is of a non-trivial magnitude, the brake torque request Δ is output to the distance tracking mode 74 of the control module 42.

Once the vehicle velocity v(t) is at or below the reference velocity V_(ref)(t) and the vehicle 10 has crossed a distance threshold 86, the scheduler 38 sends the mode switch signal q(t) to the control module 42 to enter distance tracking mode 74. The distance threshold 86 may be a predetermined and/or configurable distance from the target location 18 as chosen by the driver, the manufacturer of the vehicle, the control module 42 or the scheduler 38. The distance threshold 86 may be less than about 5 meters, less than about 4 meters, less than about 3 meters, less than about 2 meters, or less than about 1 meter from the target location 18. The distance tracking mode 74 of the control module 42 is responsible for bringing the vehicle 10 to a complete stop at the target location 18 using the brake system 22 and the brake torque request Δ, if applicable. The distance tracking mode 74 is configured to operate in a proportional-derivative configuration or manner. The distance tracking mode 74 utilizes the distance and velocity error feedback signals e_(d)(t), e_(v)(t) until the control module 42 determines that the distance to the target D_(T)(t) has been covered (e.g., via utilizing the distance the vehicle has traveled from the wheel count encoders 26). In the distance tracking mode 74, the velocity error e_(v)(t) is calculated as zero minus the vehicle velocity v(t). The change in how the velocity error e_(v)(t) is calculated is done such that the vehicle 10 will ultimately come to a stop, not maintain the reference velocity V_(ref)(t). As the distance tracking mode 74 utilizes the brake torque request Δ determined by the disturbance estimator 82 from the speed limiting mode 70, the distance tracking mode 74 has nearly perfect distance tracking leading to little or no overshoot of the target location 18.

The standstill mode 78 is designed to prevent the vehicle 10 from overshooting the target location 18 or prevent contact with an object or obstacle proximate the vehicle 10. The scheduler 38 switches the control module 42 to standstill mode 78 when the scheduler 38 detects the vehicle 10 is likely to pass through a standstill threshold 90, that overshoot of the target location 18 is likely to occur, or contact with an object or obstacle proximate the vehicle 10 is imminent (e.g., via the zone data signal Z(t)). In the standstill mode 78, the control module 42 instructs the brake system 22 to increase braking force in an inversely proportional relationship to the distance error e_(d)(t).

As explained above, the scheduler 38 is in charge of switching the control module 42 between the modes 70, 74, 78. The control module 42 is initialized in the speed limiting mode 70, and stays at least long enough for the disturbance estimator 82 to determine the brake torque request Δ. The control module 42 switches modes to the distance tracking mode 74 from the speed limiting mode 70 when the vehicle 10 passes the distance threshold 86 as represented by T_(d)(e_(d)(t)). The transition from the distance tracking mode 74 to the stand still mode 78 is initiated at the standstill threshold 90. The standstill threshold 90 may be a threshold of a predetermined function of the distance error e_(d)(t) and the vehicle velocity v(t) which indicates to the scheduler 38 and/or the control module 42 that the vehicle 10 is sufficiently close to the target location 18, that overshoot of the target location 18 is likely or imminent or that contact with an object or obstacle is imminent. This is illustrated as T_(ss)(e_(d)(t), v(t)) to indicate that the standstill threshold 90 is a function of the distance error e_(d)(t) and the vehicle velocity v(t). Additionally or alternatively, the standstill threshold 90 may be a predefined distance from the target location 18.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for assisting in parking a vehicle, comprising the steps of: initiating a parking sequence having a reference velocity; altering a velocity of the vehicle to about the reference velocity by generating a brake torque during a first mode of operation of a controller; outputting the brake torque to a disturbance estimator; storing the brake torque within the disturbance estimator; and utilizing the brake torque from the disturbance estimator in a second mode of operation of the controller to stop the vehicle at a target location.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: transitioning the controller from the first mode to the second mode once the vehicle crosses a threshold distance from the target location.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the controller operates in a proportional-integral control during the first mode of operation and in a proportional-derivative control during the second mode of operation.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the controller operates on a velocity error signal in the first mode of operation and a distance error signal in the second mode of operation.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the vehicle is stopped at the target location with essentially no overshoot.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the controller operates on a distance error signal in the second mode of operation.
 7. A method for assisting in parking a vehicle, comprising the steps of: initiating a parking sequence having a reference velocity; altering a velocity of the vehicle to about the reference velocity by generating a brake torque during a first mode of operation of a controller; outputting the brake torque to a disturbance estimator; and utilizing the brake torque in a second mode of operation of the controller to stop the vehicle at a target location.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second mode of the controller is operated in a proportional-derivative control based on a distance error signal.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of: storing the brake torque within the disturbance estimator.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of: transitioning the controller from the first mode to the second mode once the vehicle crosses a threshold distance from the target location.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the control module is configured to operate in the first mode, the second mode and a third mode.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the first mode is operated in a proportional-integral control based on a velocity error signal.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second mode of the control module is configured to be operated in a proportional-derivative control based on a distance error signal.
 14. The method of claim 7, wherein the controller operates on a velocity error signal in the first mode of operation and a distance error signal in the second mode of operation.
 15. A method for assisting in parking a vehicle, comprising the steps of: initiating a parking sequence having a reference velocity; altering a velocity of the vehicle to about the reference velocity by generating a brake torque during a first mode of operation of a controller; and utilizing the brake torque in a second mode of operation of the controller to stop the vehicle at a target location.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of: outputting the brake torque to a disturbance estimator.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of: storing the brake torque within the disturbance estimator.
 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of: transitioning the controller from the first mode to the second mode once the vehicle crosses a threshold distance from the target location.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the controller operates in a proportional-integral control during the first mode of operation and in a proportional-derivative control during the second mode of operation.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the controller operates on a velocity error signal in the first mode of operation and a distance error signal in the second mode of operation. 